Getting Something for Nothing?!?

It's all about ME! NO! IT'S NOT! Some people believe, REALLY believe, that this world revolved around only them. What a pity! Some of us were born BEFORE the ME! generation. Those of us that possess a good work ethic and compassion for other people have a distinct edge over these people: We (and I am including myself here) grew up with knowing what commitment, perseverance, loyalty, and having a goal in mind were worth.

This amazing "ME!" generation was raised by, who else, but US! We wanted our children to have more "things" than we did. And we, naturally, provided them with "things". Mistake? You bet!

We have raised some pretty selfish people. NO...not all of our children are succumbing to this philosophy. THANK GOODNESS! They are the ones who will be emotionally fulfilled, happy, content. If the "ME!" children don't wake up quick, they are going to miss having a quality of life along with their things. Or...they will have neither things nor contentment. They are going to be the ones who end back at Mom and Dad's. They become complacent and idle, lazy. Not appreciating what they can achieve, not wanting to "make something of themselves". Having low self esteem - thinking they CANNOT do anything and, consequently, they DON'T do anything.

Ok, folks - Here's the thing: If you don't like putting some effort into something, it probably isn't worth it to you.

Lazy people never get any farther in life than where they are right now!

Some are more concerned with "instant gratification" than appreciating the journey to their destination. We aren't willing to plant the seeds into the soil or water them regularly in order to see the beautiful crop we could be harvesting for the rest of our lives.

People who expect to get something from this world without working for it will only be disappointed with what they actually get. Which, unfortunately, may be NOTHING.

I was taught and raised by the adage that "anything worth working for is worth having." (Or something like that!) But you get the gist of it. In other words, if something is valuable to you, you are more willing to put forth whatever the effort it may take to obtain it and to treasure it.

When I wanted to get my first car, I knew it would not be just "gifted" to me - I would have to work to get the money to buy it. And, it took some time as I was young and worked as a floor clerk and cashier at a five and dime store. (That's like a smaller version, a much smaller version, of a regular Walmart.) The cost of the car was $1500 - of course that was nearly _____ years ago! (You didn't think I would really tell you, did you?!?) I was working for only a fraction of what the minimum wage is now.

I worked there until I had saved what my dad though was enough money, so that he would help me with the rest. He did so with the stipulation that I would pay for the insurance, gas and upkeep. I took better care of that car than any I have since. Well, that was my first car! And I loved being in high school driving a '67 Camaro RS! It was a "guy-getter"!

The point is, since I was working towards a goal to achieve something I perceived as having value to me, when it finally did arrive, I felt I had EARNED IT! Somewhere, my parents were on the right track with us girls (I have a younger sister). When I was growing up, these were the values my family instilled in us.

I believe that, even now, these values still hold true in this world of such chaos. I must tell you this all comes with a caveat:

BE REALLY, REALLY SURE WHATEVER YOUR GOAL MAY BE, THAT IT IS WORTH ALL OF THE EFFORT YOU WILL HAVE TO PUT INTO ACHIEVING IT.

Sometimes, what I THOUGHT I wanted, turned out not to be worth the effort - it didn't really have the value that I imagine and wasn't what I wanted at all. I wasted a good part of my life making choices that were not right for me.

I have learned (and I PROMISE I am not preaching to you - this is my own personal experience) to earnestly pray for God's will to be done in my life. Not MY will. Then to diligently strive to understand just what His will it. I really don't want this to be preachy, guys. I am only conveying to you what has worked in MY life.

Know this: Be certain whatever it is you are working toward is something that has enough value to you to be worth the effort.

Attraction Marketing is the gasoline to be used in the vehicle to be driven on this journey by those who are willing to endure the trip - those who are in it for the long haul.

Those of us who understand the idea behind "delayed gratification"? We will eventually be handsomely rewarded.

Those people who do not require much from themselves, they shall be rewarded accordingly.

If you think you will never get any farther in life...well, there you are!